Chesapeake Campground

The Great Outdoors

Residents of Chesapeake love the outdoors, and it really shows on summer weekends when the crowds flock to Oak Grove Lake Park. The lake is quite popular with anglers, and fishing platforms dot the shoreline at regular intervals. There’s also a beautiful 1.5-mile path around the lake for a nature stroll or early morning workout if you’re so inclined when you book an RV in Chesapeake.Don’t be deterred by the name, but one of the best places to go cycling or jogging is just outside the park – the Dismal Swamp Canal Trail. The 11-mile path along the canal is paved, perfectly flat, and accessible to all fitness levels. In May of each year, the canal hosts the Paddle to the Border event where canoes and kayaks make their way from the North Carolina border to Chesapeake, and the trail fills with spectators. The nearby swamp is also a historically significant stop along the Underground Railroad and is loaded with fascinating wildlife.Though if sun and sand are calling your name during your motorhome camping vacation, then you must head to Virginia Beach. The coastal community is a favorite of vacationers in the Old Dominion State, with miles of wide beaches, beautiful palm trees, and a fantastic boardwalk area. Be sure to show up early though, as it can get crowded on weekends, holidays, or really whenever the sun is shining.

Exploring the City

Chesapeake is a pleasant city to base yourself when renting an RV, with plenty of great attractions, shopping centers, and a good selection of restaurants to choose from. Additionally, the network of highways makes getting around eastern Virginia a cinch. With the U.S. Navy based nearby, it should come as no surprise that there are some great military history museums in the area. The Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach is one of the finest in the country with operational WWI and WWII-era aircraft on display. A number of airshows take place there each year, so it’s worth checking their schedule to see if one coincides with your trip. There’s also the option of taking a tour in an early 20th-century biplane if you’re not too afraid of heights.If you’re an animal lover or are traveling with one, you should check out the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center outside Virginia Beach. Over 700 marine species can be found there including komodo dragons, a variety of rays, and freshwater crocodiles. The highlight of the museum is the display depicting aquatic life and their journey from Virginia’s river through the estuary and into the Atlantic Ocean.With the large military presence and a populous metropolitan area just next door, Chesapeake has an excellent dining scene with cuisines from all around the world. If you want something more local though, try North Carolina BBQ with its bevy of pork dishes and vinegar/pepper-based sauce (no sugar and tomatoes allowed). Chesapeake and Norfolk also have an abundance of outlet malls offering varieties of clothing and home décor. There’s also a large shopping center housing several major chains near the intersection of the Hampton Roads Beltway and Greenbrier Parkway.